Lady Thatcher

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Lady Thatcher

Set: Part No: ST011155

The election of Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister at the United Kingdom General Election of 1979, is regarded as a pivotal point in 20th Century British politics not only for the defeat of James Callaghan’s incumbent Labour government but because it marked the first of four consecutive general election victories for the Conservative Party.

To date Margaret Thatcher is the first and only woman to have led a major political party in the UK and holding the office from 1979 to 1990, she served as British Prime Minister for the longest continuous period since Lord Liverpool in the early 19th century.

Nicknamed the ‘Iron Lady’ for her unwavering and steadfast character, Baroness Thatcher’s leadership was tested in 1982 when on 2nd April Argentina invaded the British Overseas Territory, the Falkland Islands. Prime Minister Thatcher responded to this attack by sending a large task force to recapture the Islands and despite the huge logistical difficulties, in which British Forces operated 8,000 miles from home in terrible conditions, the operation was a huge success and today is remembered as one of the most momentous events of post-war British History.

She resigned as Prime Minister in November 1990 and left the House of Commons in 1992 at which time she was given a life peerage as Baroness Thatcher, of Kesteven in the County of Lincolnshire.

Hailed by many as the greatest world leader of recent times and by others as the architect of a divided Britain, there is no doubt that she was a major figure of the 20th Century who having died at the age of 87 is to be given a ceremonial funeral with full military honours which will attended by Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip, her coffin being carried by units particularly associated with the Falklands war.

By sending the British military to repel the invasion of the South Atlantic archipelago, the former prime minister earned the enduring thanks of the islanders, who continue to celebrate Thatcher Day every 10 January.

"She will be forever remembered in the islands for her decisiveness in sending a taskforce to liberate our home following the Argentine invasion in 1982. Her friendship and support will be sorely missed, and we will always be thankful for all that she did for us." Mike Summers, speaking on behalf of the islands’ Legislative Assembly.

There is no doubt that the people of the Falkland Islands have a huge respect for Lady Thatcher and are issuing a set of four stamps, spanning 4 decades, to honour her life and the role that she played in defending their liberty.